Oceanids

Oceanids is a £16M Marine Autonomous Systems (MAS) development programme funded by UK Government through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), which commenced in June 2016 and runs until March 2021. The programme is co-ordinated by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and is being delivered in partnership with Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and several industry partners. Oceanids is also drawing upon engineering and science expertise across a wide range of UK academic, industry and government organisations. The primary aim of the programme is to develop enhanced capability for the UK marine science community, particularly in unexplored and technologically challenging under-ice and deep-ocean environments.

Oceanids will see two new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) classes delivered: three 1500m depth-rated Autosub Long Range vehicles (ALR1500) that will have longer endurance and greater payload capacity compared to the current vehicles; and a 2000m depth-rated Autosub capable of carrying high-power sensors and operating under ice (Autosub2KUI). The project will also deliver enhanced 'command-and-control' (C2) systems for efficient MAS fleet management, and a range of innovative new sensors to maximise science output from the new platforms. There will also be a series of sea trials to ensure the new capabilities are ready for scienctific deployments anywhere in the ocean.

Project

Aim

ALR1500

Oceanids is continuing the successful family of Autosub Long Range AUVs with the development of ALR1500. Capable of deploying for up to three months, ALR1500 will open new opportunities for lower cost shore-based scientific missions. ALR1500’s range, sensors and innovative navigation system will offer the science community exciting new opportunities for under-ice exploration. ALR1500 is also working to reduce the cost and environmental impact of AUV-delivered science by introducing rechargeable batteries that will save on materials costs and turnaround times.

AS2KUI

Oceanids is building on the NOC's existing Autosub 6000 by developing a second large AUV equipped for high-power, shorter duration under-ice science missions. Autosub Long Range 2000 Under Ice (AS2KUI) will be equipped with state-of-the art sonars and camera systems to enable scientists to create detailed maps and establish habitat characteristics of the seafloor, and will also have under-ice navigation capabilities so it can operate underneath vast areas of sea ice or glaciers. The systems on board will be designed to withstand pressure at depths of 2000m.

C2

Oceanids is working to replace the variety of platform-specific command-control systems with a common command-control and data processing system. The Oceanids C2 system has already been demonstrated with multiple vehicles and used in support of funded science on the AlterEco project.

Sensors

Oceanids is developing five new marine sensors through a competitive grant call. Partners in the NOC, University of Exeter and University of Southampton are collaborating to deliver TRL8 standard sensors. Oceanids is leading a package of work to integrate these sensors with a range of autonomous surface and sub-surface vehicles.